The Law Office of Dana L. Green, APC

Estate planning is not just for the old and the wealthy. Everybody over the age of 18 needs certain estate planning documents. Did you know that if you don't think about your own desires, the state of California has a plan for you? And that plan does not benefit your family the way creating your own plan does. California has one of the highest probate fees in the country, so it is even more important for California residents to meet with an estate planning attorney. Don't procrastinate or it could be too late to avoid probate! California is one of only 10 states in which a divorce automatically voids all pre-divorce documents. This means that both parties to a divorce MUST redo all estate planning even if they still want each other to to be their agent and/or alternate trustee. I educate my clients about the need for estate planning and what happens if the state plan is the only one in place when they die. I listen intently to what the client's concerns are and what the situation is. Planning ahead for the unexpected provides peace of mind and saves money. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain when one plans ahead to protect their loved ones and the estate that they've worked so hard to build. Located in North County San Diego, but servicing all of CA. Able to provide legal service remotely to clients in NY and CT as well. Young Adult Peace of Mind - Ensure that your young adult children are not left alone without the emotional and intellectual support they've had up until age 18. Privacy laws that protect confidential information also prevent parents from knowing about medical events and financial needs if Peace of Mind Documents are not in place when an emergency situation arises. LGBTQ and unmarried? Peace of Mind Documents are necessary to be able to help your loved one in an emergency. Never Married, But in a Long-Term Relationship? Although you may feel married, without that piece of paper, in the eyes of the law, you cannot help your partner in an emergency without Peace of Mind Documents in place. Divorced? As soon as a couple's divorce is final in CA, a revocable living trust created during marriage becomes VOID. If the parties do wish to name each other still, they must start from scratch and create a new trust. In NY, the trust can remain in effect, but an ex-spouse is considered to hae pre-deceased. An estate plan is not done when the documents get signed. Funding of a revocable living trust must happen for the trust to serve its purpose and avoid probate. Funding means changing title to assets which puts them in the trust. It is important that estate planning documents get reviewed at least every 2-3 years. This review helps to make sure your estate is in order and that all funding has been done. It helps remind us to change who is named as Trustee or Agent under a Power of Attorney if, for instance, someone has died or been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's.. Keeping your estate plan up to date is almost as important as creating it in the first place.

I provide peace of mind to my clients by preparing them for the unexpected. Estate planning includes preparing for incapaicity, not just for death. There is an 80% chance that you will become incapacitated temporarily before you die and you will want someone to know your wishes and be able to help you if you are unable to speak for yourself in an emergency. I educate people about the importance of probate avoidance through the use of a revocable living trust . This is extremely important if you own any real estate in CA .Estate planning is not just for the old and the wealthy! Young adults need three very important estate planning document once they turn 18.

I educate my clients so that they understand the importance of estate planning. I don't charge for phone time when working with clients on their estate plan because I want them to ask questions if they have any without the fear of being charged for every minute. I listen to my clients and address their concerns and questions. I truly care about my clients and always want to help them. I give away a lot of my time because I remember that feeling of being nickel and dimed by attorneys that I have personally worked with as their client..